The outpouring of support was inspiring. Everyone from Mississippi State Sen. Michael Watson to Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams to Saints guard Terrence Metcalf, praised McAllister, mostly for his friendship and humanitarianism. More was said about McAllister's off-field work than his remarkable on-field production.

The consensus: McAllister was a better man than a football player.

McAllister would like to work as a college football analyst or somewhere within the Saints organization. He said he’s not interested in coaching.

--Josh Katzowitz

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter.

Lynn Hoppes of ESPN.com’s Page 2 shares some unique tales from Sean Payton’s new book. The book is full of fun side stories, like the one Hoppes highlights about Al Davis. Here is an excerpt. (In fact, since Hoppes is essentially providing an excerpt, let’s go ahead and call this an excerpt of an excerpt.)

Another story: When Payton was an assistant coach for the Dallas Cowboys, he flew to California to interview for the head coaching job with the Oakland Raiders.

Owner Al Davis did the interviewing and wore his traditional black sweatsuit.

"Al is an extremely talented football guy. Few owners who interview can really talk about a defensive front, team travel and the salary cap," Payton said. "He can hit on all these topics, and this was my first interview as head coach. It was 2003, and I was going to meet Al Davis."

Payton, who had been in the NFL only about five years, said he was really nervous.

"I walked into the bathroom, and I took three deep breaths," Payton said. "I said: 'I belong here. I belong here. I belong here.'" The interview was heading late into the evening, and both were hungry.

"You like cheeseburgers?" Davis said."Of course I do," Payton said.

Davis then asked his assistant to run to McDonald's to get some cheeseburgers and -- get this -- coleslaw.

"The assistant says, 'Mr. Davis, McDonald's doesn't have cole slaw," Payton remembers. "But Al wanted his cole slaw, so the assistant had to figure out what to do."

If you’d like to shake the hand of the man who wrote Coming Back Stronger – and not necessarily that of radio host Chris Fabry, who collaborated on the book – you’ll have plenty of opportunities. The schedule for New Orleans QB Drew Brees’ book signings have been released, and you can find the ledger here .

From July 6-July 26, Brees will roam seven states – traveling everywhere from Ridgewood, N.J. to San Diego to New Orleans – for 15 signings to peddle his memoir.

The book details Brees’ comeback from the shoulder injury that nearly derailed his NFL career. Combine that with Hurricane Katrina and a Super Bowl MVP last year, and you’ve got, as the book publisher writes, an “inspiring message of hope and encouragement proves that with enough faith, determination, and heart, you can overcome any obstacle life throws your way and not only come back, but come back stronger.”

--Josh Katzowitz

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter.

"Mr. Benson is excited for our visit to the White House," Bensel said in an email. Benson, he said, "is not only eager to attend the White House celebration but is also eager to get the 2010 season started."

The Saints reportedly have scheduled their trip to coincide with a preseason trip to the Boston area. The Saints play the New England Patriots in an exhibition game on Aug. 12.

Bensel said the Saints' White House visit has been scheduled for months. He said White House officials were in charge of the event and thus responsible for releasing the date and other information surrounding it. The Saints, he said, are simply following their direction.

--Andy Benoit

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter.

More than 225 days before the Super Bowl is contested in Arlington, Texas, bodog.com has your futures bets ready to go.

If you’re looking for a sure-fire team to win the Super Bowl – and you want to be really unoriginal at the same time (kind of like picking all No. 1 seeds to advance to the Final Four in your NCAA tournament brackets) – you can place your bets on Indianapolis and New Orleans. Both team’s odds are listed at 9/1 for Super Bowl glory.

If you’re looking for the longest of long-shots, go with St. Louis, Buffalo or Tampa Bay at 100/1. You thought I was going to say the Lions also, didn’t you? Nope, they’re a steal at 90/1.

The bandwagon on which it’s too late to jump? The New York Jets at 10/1.

Looking for your favorite team to see how much money you’d take hom if it wins the championship? Check out the full list here . Happy gambling!

--Josh Katzowitz

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter.

The most interesting news of the day has to be the New Orleans Saints releasing DE Bobby McCray. Not because McCray has been an established starter during his six-year career in the NFL (he’s started less than 40 percent of the time). And not because McCray was all-world last year for the Super Bowl winners (he had 1.5 sacks and eight tackles on the season, but much of that can be attributed to a lingering back injury).

The release is noteworthy – and surprising – because McCray has worked with the first-team defense most of the offseason, and with the release of DE Charles Grant shortly after last season, observers figured McCray would jump the starting spot opposite Will Smith. Apparently not.

McCray told WWL-TV that he was speechless, but according to CBSSports.com Rapid Reporter Larry Holder . McCray might have begun to lose the interest of coach Sean Payton last year when he was continuously late to team meetings, including one on Super Bowl media day. Payton wrote about those incidents in his book, “Home Team” . Payton also wondered aloud during the actual Super Bowl whether McCray was “tough enough."

The DWI for which he was arrested in November certainly didn’t help matters. Also, Pro Football Talk has theorized the Saints dumped McCray, because they would have owed him a $1.25 million roster bonus in 10 days.

But fear not. The Saints have some options to replace McCray. In the offseason, they signed Alex Brown and Jimmy Wilkerson, and the way it looks now, Brown would be the first to get a chance to win the spot that’s been vacated by McCray.

--Josh Katzowitz

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter.

***Former Cowboy Leon Lett is coaching defensive tackles at the University of Monroe (LA). Dallasnews.com has an article on it.

***Really interesting piece by Jeff Duncan on Nola.com about how Saints GM Mickey Loomis had to decide who in the organization received a Super Bowl ring and who did not. Highly recommend reading the whole thing. Here's a clip:

The Saints also rewarded selected players on the practice squad and injured reserve. For instance, Billy Miller and Mark Simoneau received rings. They stuck around all season, spent time in the locker room and in meetings and attended most of the games. Dan Campbell, who also was placed on injured reserve in the preseason and was rarely seen again, did not. That's fair.

The club also recognized veterans Deuce McAllister, John Carney and Mike McKenzie. In various ways, each played a role in the title, whether it was this past season or in previous years

***From the Tribune News Service: The brother of former NFL star William Perry says the "Fridge" has some hearing loss but is improving from a condition in which the body's immune system attacks nerves.

***Kevin Ellison got arrested for having in his possession more than 100 Vicodin pills a few weeks ago. It has cost the second-year safety his job. The Chargers released Ellison today. Kevin Acee from SignOnSanDiego.com has some good quick analysis.

--Andy Benoit

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @cbssportsnfl on Twitter